Can opener



A. CARP CAN OPENER June 17, 1952 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed July 15, 1946ARTHUR CARP.

A. CARP CAN OPENER June 17, 1952 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Filed July 13, 1946 ARTUR CAFE/ Patented June 17, 1952 UNITED STATES PAT OFFICE CAN OPENERArthur Carp, Hillsdala. Mich.

Application July 13, 1946,. Serial. No. 683.38;

6 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to improvements in can openers of the typedisclosed in my pending application Serial No. 597,177, filed June 2,1945. now abandoned.

One. object of the invention is to provide an improved can mountableopener which is secured in position on the can at the time the rollingcutter is pierced through the can top and only rotational force on thedriver is required to complete the operation.

Another object is to provide an opener of the type described in whichthe driver and cutter are resiliently mounted relative to each other toyield to the can seam.

A further object is to provide an opener of the type described in whichthe driver has both arcuate and radial movement toward the cutter uponclamping the opener upon the can.

A still further object is to provide an opener oi the type described inwhich a swinging filler member is provided between the can and the cutter to increase the range of can sizes and shapes capable of beingreadily opened.

A. still further object of the invention is to provide an improvedcan-mounted opener which requires only an initial, clamping pressure atthe time the can is pierced and is thereafter propelled around the topof the can to open the same by rotating the driver by one hand, theother hand free to manipulate the can.

These and other objects and advantages residing in the combination,construction and arrangement of parts will be more fully understood froma consideration of the following specification and the appended claims.

In the drawings.

Fig. I is a side elevational view showing one form of the invention inan open position,

Fig. II is. a view similar to Fig. I showing the opener in a closedposition,

Fig. III is an end elevational view of the invention shown. in Fig. Iclamped upon a can,

Fig. IV is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line IV-IV of Fig. III,

Fig. V is a perspective view taken from the outer side of a modificationof the invention, and shown in opened position,

Fig. VI is a view similar to Fig/ v taken from the inner side,

Fig. VII is a side elevational view of the opener shown in Fig. V. butin the closed position.

Fig. VIII is a sectional view taken on line VIII-VIII of Fig. VII. and

Fig. IX is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line IXIX of Fig. VIH',showing the relationship between the cutter, filler and can.

Referringto: the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. I to. IV,inclusive, the opener comprises a sheet metal member I0 upon which therotatable cutter I2 is supported upon an angularboss M. The cutter I2 ismounted upon a stud shaft [6 having a suitable shoulder for abuttingagainst the boss l4 and threaded at its inner end to receive the nut I8all in a wellknown manner; The serrated driver 20 is mounted on an arbor22 having a bearing in the member 23 carrying a winged handle 24 throughwhich the driver 20 is rotated. The member 23 is preferably of sheetmetal and has an adjustable hinge connection with the member I!) througha threaded shoulder stud 26 which extends through a circular opening 28in the member H) with a relatively close fit and projects through anelongated slot 30 in the member 23. A filler plate 32 is positionedbetween the member 23 and the nut 34 threaded upon the outer end of thestud 26.

The members l0 and 23 are formed to provide handle portions 35' and 38with flanges 40 and 42 being turned back to provide a surface againstwhich pressure is exerted by the fingers and to stiffen the members Itand 23. A stop portion 44 is provided upon the member I!) to engage withthe flange 40 in the manner indicated in Fig. II to determine the fullyclosed position of the opener.

The lower end of the member Ill has a turnedout flange Mi on which anadjustable shoulder member 48 is mounted. The member 48 has a threadedstud portion 50 to fit through an opening 52 and receives adjustmentnuts 54 located upon opposite sides of the flange 46. Turned out fromthe lower end of the member 23 is an arcuate flange 56 which is wipedacross the upper surface of the shoulder 48 when the member 23 is swungfrom the position shown in Fig. I to the position shown in Fig. II.Through this arrangement, the member 23 is given a radial translationalmovement relatively to the member Hl as well as a swinging movement, theradial movement being made possible through the provision of theelongated slot 30. Thus the driver 20 upon swinging movement of themember 23 is not only carried toward a plane passing through the axis ofthe studs 26 and 35 but it also has a radial movement toward the cutterl2. This arrangement increases the space between the driver 20 and thecutter l2 with the opener in its wide open position shown in Fig. I forthe reception of the can 51 with a minimum swinging movement of themember 23.

In order to permit the driver 20 to yield relative to the cutter I2 atthe time the seam on the can is encountered the member 23 is providedwith a transverse slot 58 terminating in an embossed opening 60. Themember 23 is preferably of metal having a reasonable amount ofresiliency, so the construction will enable the cantilevered portion 62of the member 23 upon which the driver 20 is mounted to yield slightlyunder the pressure of the can seam, to facilitate the travel of theopener over the seam as the opener is driven around the edge of the canby turning the handle 24.

The member I is provided with a slot or opening 64 through which thearbor 22 extends upon which the handle 24 is carried. With the handle 23in the open position shown in Fig. I, the arbor 22 is at one end of theslot 64 and with the handle 23 is the closed position of the opener, thearbor 22 is at the opposite' end of the slot 64. With the member 23 inthe position shown in Fig. I, the can to be opened has its upper edgeinserted between the cutter I2 and the driver 20. position shown in Fig.II, which will result in the cutter I2 piercing the can and the upperedge of the can being clamped between the serrated driver 20 and theserrated V groove 86 of the cutter I2. With the edge of the can tightlyclamped in this manner, rotation of the handle 24 will result in theopener traveling along the edge of the can with the cutter I2 beingrotated by the relative movement between the can 'top and the cutter I2,the can cover being severed by the cutter I2 as the opener rolls alongthe top of the can, all in the manner indicated in Fig. III.

To improve the adaptation of the opener to a wide range of can sizes andshapes, the filler plate 32 fixed to the plate 23 by the nut 34 has anose portion 68 which projects slightly behind the driver 20 but ismaintained in spaced relation thereto, moving as a unitary part with themember 23. With the opener fully closed in the manner shown in Fig. II,the nose 68 is disposed in behind the cutter I2 and engages the can tohold it against the cutter I2 and position the latter adjacent the sidewall of the can 51. A fixed filler member 69 performs a similar functionon the opposite side.

The modification shown in Figs. V to IX, inclusive, is very similar tothe construction just described with reference to Figs. I to IV exceptfor the filler member construction and the type of pivotal movement ofthe hinged parts.

Sheet metal member I0 has an opening E2 to accommodate the hub 14 of thestub shaft I E upon which the serrated driver I8 is mounted. Supportedon the hub "I4 is a wing handle 80 through which the driver I8 isrotated.

Supported for pivotal movement in the opening 82 defined in the memberI0 is a flanged stub shaft or button member 84 carrying a threaded stud86 preferably eccentrically located to the axis of rotation of thebutton 84, for reasons which will be hereinafter pointed out. The sheetmetal member 88 has an opening 90 to receive the threaded stud 86. A nut92 firmly clamps the plate 88 against the face 94 of the button 04 whichprojects through and slightly beyond the inner face of the member I0with the result that the members and 88 are capable of relative pivotalmovement around the center of the opening 82. By making the opening 82relatively large and the button 84 correspondingly so, the pivotal jointjust described does not loosen up or show appreciable wear over a longperiod of use.

The member 23 is then swung into the The upper portion 96 of the memberI0 is angularly disposed to the lower portion 98 with a handle portionbeing provided at I00. Likewise the upper portion I02 of the member 88is also angularly disposed to the lower portion I04, with the upperportion I02 also functioning as a handle portion. Having the samegeneral contour as the member I0 is a pivotal filler member I06 with anupper handle portion I08 and a lower portion IIO having a pivotalconnection at II'2 with the lower portion 98 of the member I0.Intermediate its end, filler member I06 has a projection I I4 whichperforms a function similar to the members 68 and 69 of Fig. IV.

Referring to Fig. VI, the lower portion I04 of the member 88 is providedwith a shoulder H6 to receive a triangular portion II8 of a member I06.When the members I0 and 88 are swung into their open position as shownin Fig. VI, the shoulder II6 engages with the projection II8 to lock thefiller member I06 in the position shown in Fig. VI.

The rolling cutter I20 is mounted upon a stub arbor I22 provided with ashoulder and a threaded stud for mounting the same from the angularportions 06 and the member I0 in the manner illustrated in Fig. VIII.

Referring to Fig. IX, the function of the filler member I06 isillustrated. With the opener in its full open position illustrated inFig. VI, the upper edge of the can I24 is inserted between the driver I8and the cutter I20. By applying pressure against the handle portion I02and I08, the opener moves into a closed position illustrated in Fig.VII. In this position, the operating parts are as shown in Fig. IX. Itwill be noted that the portion II4 on the filler member I06 is solocated relative to the outer wall of the can I24 that the cutting edgeI26 of the cutter I20 is closer to the guide wall of the can on one sidethan it is on the opposite side. This results in the can top beingsevered at a point directly adjacent the side wall of the can andprovides clean cutting and removal of the can top. Preferably the fillermember I06 is so shaped and mounted relative to the member I0 that it isspaced from the member I0 in the manner indicated in Fig. IX. When thecan to be opened is of larger diameter than that illustrated in Fig. IX,there is enough resiliency in the member I0 6 to permit the same to bedeflected toward the member I0 at the same time it is exerting apressure upon the side Wall of the can which will hold the can relativeto the cutter I20 in the manner illustrated in Fig. IX. Through thisarrangement, the canopener illustrated in Figs. V to IX is adapted foremcient operation upon a wide range of can sizes and shapes. With squareor rectangular cans the member I06 may be urged from the position shownin Fig. IX to a position in actual abutment with the member I0. With asquare or rectangular can, as the rounded corner is approached duringthe opening operation, the resiliency of the filler member I00 will urgethe same outwardly relative to the member I0 to momentarily assume theposition it would take during the opening of a relatively small diametercylindrical can. The turned-out tab I23 rides upon the upper edge of thecan being opened and assists in supporting the can opener upon the topof the can as it is driven around the can top by rotation of the handle80.

In operating the can opener illustrated in Figs. V to IX, inclusive, itwill be understood that the cutter I20 is hooked over the top of the canto be opened and the tab I28 will rest upon the upper edge of the can.The operator then squeezes upon the handle I02 and I08 held between thethumb and the fingers. This pressure swings the mem bers I0 and I8 intothe closed position shown in Fig. VII to bring th driver I8 and thecutter I into the position illustrated in Fig. VIII. With the parts inthis position, the rolling cutter edge I26 has penetrated or pierced thecam top and the driver 18 is bearing against the top edge of the can inthe manner illustrated in Fig. III. The closing of the can opener hasalso brought the filler member I06 into the position indicated in Fig.DI, with the cutting edge I26 crowded toward the side wall of the can inthe manner illustrated in Fig. IX. With th can opener thus clamped uponthe can top in its closed position illustrated in Fig. VII, it is nolonger necessary to apply any pressure to the handle I02 and I08 and thecan can be opened by merely rotating the handle 80, which will cause thecan opener to completely travel around the top of the can. When the seamof the can is encountered, exerting unusual pressure between the driver18 and the cutter I20, the slot I30 provided in the member 88 willpermit the driver I8 to yield slightly to the seam, thus avoiding anymomentary excessive application of torque to th handle 80 in order toovercome the obstruction presented by the seam.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tocover by Letters Patent is:

1. A can mountable opener comprising a member, a cutter on said member,a second member, a driver on said second member, a pivotal pin and Slotconnection between said members at their lower ends to permit limitedrelative translation movement, handle portions at the upper end of saidmembers, said cutter and driver being mounted on their respectivemembers intermediate said upper and lower ends, said members beingpivotal around said connection between open and closed positions to varythe spacing between said driver and said cutter, cam and cam followmeans on said members below said pivotal connection for impartingrelative translation movement thereto upon relative pivotal movement,portions on said driver and cutter between which the top peripheral edgeof the can is clamped with said members in closed position, anotherportion of said cutter overlapping said first portion of said cutter topierce and cut the can top inwardly of the peripheral edge.

2. A can mountable opener as defined in claim 1 in which that portion ofsaid second member upon which said driver is supported is yieldable inthe plane of movement of said driver toward said cutter by said portionbeing substantially severed from the remainder of said second member.

3. A can mountable opener as defined in claim 1 in which that portion ofsaid second member on which said driver is mounted is in the form of ayieldable cantilever having an effective fulcrum at the connection ofsaid portion with the remainder of said second member.

4. A can mountable opener as defined in claim 1 having a filler memberupon the driver carrier member supported for movement with this memberto engage the can upon movement of said members to a closed position andforce the can against the cutter.

5. A can mountable opener comprising a pair of members pivotallyconnected at their lower ends and having handle portions at their upperends, a rotatable cutter mounted on one of said members intermediate itsends, a rotatabl driver mounted on the other of said membersintermediate its ends and closer to said pivotal oonnection than saidcutter, said driver being movable with its associated member intosubstantially a line between said cutter and said pivotal connection,with rotation of said driver in one direction urging said memberstogether to pierce the can with said cutter and urging said drivertoward said line, rotation of said driver in th opposite directiontending to separate said members, said member upon which said driver ismounted being partially severed along a line intersecting said firstline between said driver and said pivotal connections to resilientlysupport said driver relative to said cutter.

6. A can mountable opener comprising a rotary cutter, a rotary driver,separate members on which said cutter and driver are mounted, a pivotalconnection between said members, said cutter and driver being in oii-setrelation to enable the cutter to be positioned on the inside of the tophead of the can and the driver on the outside thereof, said membersbeing pivotal to pierce the can top with said cutter and to clamp thetop bead between said cutter and said driver, the pivotal axis of saidmembers and th axis of rotation of said cutter and driver being disposedon substantially the same plane with said cutter and driver clamped uponthe top bead of the can to be opened, said member upon which said driveris mounted being partially severed along a line intersecting said firstline between said driver and said pivotal connections to resilientlysupport said driver relative to said cutter.

ARTHUR CARP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

